Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley, Emmylou Harris, Amy Grant Among Early Supporters Of Heal The Music Day

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Dierks Bentley, Chris and Morgane Stapleton, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Amy Grant, John Berry, Rosanne Cash and more have commited to Music Health Alliance’s upcoming Heal The Music Day Oct. 18, where members of the music community including artists, songwriters, producers, publishers, publicists, promoters, business managers, label execs, booking agents, attorneys, venues, stylists and more can pledge a percentage of their single day earnings to support the lifesaving services provided by Music Health Alliance.

The day is held in an effort to raise awareness and support for the emergency and ongoing medical needs of our country’s creative community, 76% of whom are self-employed or part of a small business. The majority don’t have access to group health benefits and, in many instances, have limited and unpredictable resources. Music Health Alliance’s free services range from access to doctors and hospitals, medicine, health insurance and finding financial assistance during times of illness.

“Our goal is to raise $500,000 this year to meet the continued increase in critical need,” said MHA Founder/CEO Tatum Allsep. “With a $10 donation, we are able to provide $300 in life-saving healthcare resources to Heal The Music, so there’s no doubt that Heal The Music Day is a great investment into the long-term health and wellness of the music industry as a whole.”

Since 2013, there have been more than 9,700 examples of members of the music community from coast-to-coast who have received free assistance from Music Health Alliance. The nine-person team has saved more than $43 Million in healthcare costs, including insurance premium savings, medical bill reductions and discounted medications in six years.

To learn more about Music Health Alliance’s free services and how you can take part in “Heal The Music Day,” contact MHA at 615-200-6896 or [email protected].

UMG Nashville Signs Kylie Morgan

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Pictured (L-R, front row): UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe, Kylie Morgan, UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan; (L-R, back row): Dickson Wright’s Austen Adams, SMACKSongs Senior Vice President Project Development Robert Carlton, SMACKSongs Owner Shane McAnally, UMG Nashville Senior Vice President Business and Legal Affairs Rob Femia, UMG Nashville COO Mike Harris, UMG Nashville Executive Vice President Promotion Royce Risser. Photo: Katie Kauss

Universal Music Group Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Kylie Morgan. A native of Newcastle, Oklahoma, Kylie began writing songs at the age of 12 and started releasing music independently garnering attention from music producers and talent executives. At 16, she was named “Who New To Watch” by the Country Music Association which led her to make regular trips to Nashville crafting her voice and polishing her songwriting.

After making the official move to Nashville at age 18, Kylie signed with the SMACKSongs team under the guidance of songwriters Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. Kylie has previously toured with the likes of Dan + Shay, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Gavin DeGraw, Brett Eldredge and Billy Currington; and was named as part of CMT’s Listen Up Class of 2019. She will be performing shows across the country this summer opening for Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Devin Dawson, Lady Antebellum, Carly Pearce and more.

Kylie will release her autobiographical new song, “Boys Girl,” on July 26. Written by Kylie, McAnally, and Ross Copperman, the song is her first release with UMG Nashville. She is currently in the studio working on her debut album with producers McAnally and Ben Johnson.

To commemorate signing her record deal, Kylie stopped by Universal Music Group Nashville’s office and was the first artist to perform in the new space.

Photo: Katy Huffman

Songwriter Jeremy Bussey Inks New Pub Deal

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Pictured L-R: AJ Burton, VP, Fluid Music Revolution; Derek Wells, Senior Director A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville; Brian Bradford, Sr. Director of Administration, Spirit Music Nashville; Jeremy Bussey; Frank Rogers, CEO, Spirit Music Nashville; Michelle Davey, Administration Coordinator/Office Manager, Spirit Music Nashville; and Freeman Wizer, Sr. Director of Creative, Spirit Music Nashville.

Songwriter Jeremy Bussey has signed a publishing deal with Nashville-based company Spirit/Fluid, a joint venture between Spirit Music Group and Fluid Music Revolution.

Bussey has penned songs for Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert, Ashley McBryde, Chase Rice, Tyler Farr,Thompson Square, Lonestar, Tate Stevens and Mark Wills, among others. He recently won MusicRow’s coveted “Song of the Year” for Ashley McBryde’s “Girl Going Nowhere.” Bussey has also landed songs for synch placements in TV/film and advertising, including Pepsi, Ram Trucks, The Real Housewives of Dallas, Hart of Dixie, and others.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jeremy Bussey to the Spirit and Fluid families. Jeremy is a true songwriter. Great ideas, great lyrics, great melodies – not to mention a great guy.” says Spirit Music Nashville CEO and award-winning producer and songwriter Frank Rogers, who was appointed to the new role at Spirit Music Nashville in May.

“We are thrilled that Jeremy has chosen Spirit Fluid as his next home! His lyrical ability is second to none. A lot of great things are on the horizon with this partnership,” said AJ Burton, Vice President, Fluid Music Revolution.

“I’m excited to be working with Frank and AJ and to create some amazing songs and have a lot of fun along the way,” said Bussey.

David Levin Promoted To Sr. VP Licensing At BMI

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David Levin has been elevated from Vice President Digital Licensing to Senior Vice President, Licensing at BMI. In his newly-expanded role, Levin is responsible for all of BMI’s domestic licensing and revenue generation, encompassing radio, television, digital media, cable, satellite and general licensing. Levin, who will oversee teams in New York and Nashville, reports directly to Mike Steinberg, EVP, Creative and Licensing, and is based in New York.

“David has done a phenomenal job leading our digital licensing team, growing the business significantly and helping solidify BMI as a leader in digital rights management,” said Steinberg.  “I know David will bring that same drive and creativity to all aspects of our licensing division, and I look forward to his leadership as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Under Levin’s direction, BMI’s digital revenues grew from $50 million in 2012 to more than $250 million in 2018.  He helped secure the company’s first licensing deals with Netflix, Amazon’s Music and Video Services, Apple Music, Hulu and Facebook, and also established new licensing structures with Spotify, YouTube and Pandora.

Prior to BMI, Levin spent 12 years at Sony Music Entertainment where he held various positions including Senior Vice President, Digital Sales, and Vice President, New Media. While at Sony, Levin established the digital and mobile business channels which started as a small, nontraditional segment, but soon became much of the company’s core business. Before joining Sony, he ran the marketing department for Getmusic.com, a joint venture between BMG and Universal.

Levin holds an MBA and BA from Rutgers University and resides in Brooklyn.

UMG Nashville Promotes Katie Dean

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Universal Music Group Nashville announces today that Katie Dean has been promoted to Senior Vice President Promotion for MCA Records Nashville. In 2015, Katie was named head of the label imprint’s promotion team and has since led the team with accomplishments including Jordan Davis’ back-to-back No.1 hits, George Strait’s first Top 20 single in five years, as well as, five No.1 hits for Sam Hunt, with “Body Like A Back Road” spending 25 weeks atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The MCA Nashville roster also includes Kassi Ashton, Clare Dunn, Vince Gill, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves and Josh Turner.

“I am truly excited for this promotion for Katie,” says Royce Risser, Executive Vice President Promotion. “Katie is not only one of the best promotion people in Nashville, she’s also one of the best people I know, period. I’m so proud of the leader she has become since taking the helm of the MCA team. She is smart. She is fierce. She is genuine. In short, she is the triple threat (minus the normal height you would associate with ‘threat’). Congratulations Bug!”

“The MCA roster of the ’90s is why I fell in love with country music,” says Katie. “It’s an honor and privilege to work with this team to maintain the MCA legacy while we break the next generation of superstars.”

Katie has spent almost 15 years UMG Nashville and has previously held positions with AristoMedia, CMA, Lyric Street Records and MediaBase.

On The Row: Jameson Rodgers Talks Opening Shows For Luke Combs, Songwriting Successes

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Like several new songwriters and rising artists, newcomer Jameson Rodgers has found a champion in headliner Luke Combs. In January, Rodgers signed a joint deal, Sony Music Nashville and River House, which is also Combs’ label home.

Rodgers has spent much of 2019 opening more than 30 shows on Combs’ Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour, and will be out on the road opening more concerts for the superstar, including two shows at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

“It’s been a crazy few months,” Rodgers said during a recent visit to the MusicRow offices. “Going from songwriter rooms to playing arena stages has been a change.”

Similar to the streaming success that kicked off Combs’ early career, a track from Rodgers’ 2016 EP, “Midnight Daydream,” began gaining traction on streaming platforms. The song also caught the ear of Combs’ now-fiancée Nicole Hocking.

“She sent my music to Luke and it’s funny, he tells the story that was like somewhere out west, like in a hot tub with his tour manager and like four other guys. She sent them a song called ‘Midnight Daydream.’ He said they all listened to it like 10 times and loved it. Luke sent me an Instagram message and I didn’t know who he was—this was before ‘Hurricane’ hit. He wanted to co-write and of course I said yes.

“A year later, I had another EP out and he called me and said ‘You’re great, the songs are great.’ Then it was like three months of silence, before he texted me randomly at like 8 in the morning and was like ‘Call Me.” So I did and he said, ‘I’m doing 30 arenas next year, you want to come?’ We got to play Red Rocks, and the arena in Memphis I grew up going to. It’s been unreal. I’m trying not to mess it all up.”

It’s a heady season in his career for Batesville, Mississippi native Rodgers, who moved to Nashville in 2010. He spent the next few years working at FedEx by day and playing songwriter rounds at night. Along the way, he became friends with fellow rising writers and artists such as Hardy, who wrote two of the tracks on Rodgers’ project, including “Like You’ve Been There Before” and the debut single “Some Girls.”

“I fell in love with the demo like five years ago and I always told them I wanted to cut it,” he says of “Some Girls.” “I think every artist in town had ‘Some Girls’ on hold at some point. When you are coming up with those guys over the years, in the trenches and nobody even has a publishing deal, you’re just writing songs together and you’re sharing these demos. I would hear these songs and think ‘How has nobody cut this song?’ So I asked if I could cut them.”

A songwriter with Combustion Music, Rodgers has earned a few top-shelf songwriter credits of his own, penning Florida Georgia Line’s “Talk You Out Of It,” and Chris Lane’s “I Don’t Know About You.”

Between tour dates, Rodgers is working on his full-length debut major label album alongside Chris Farren, Mickey Jack Cones and Jake Mitchell.

Jameson Rodgers with MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow

James Barker Band And Brett Kissel Lead CCMA Award Nominations

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The Canadian Country Music Association has announced the nominees for the 2019 CCMA Awards, presented by TD. Leading the nominations with five nominations each are 2018​ Single of the Year Award-winning group ​James Barker Band ​and reigning ​Interactive Artist of the Year ​​Brett Kissel​.

Kissel is nominated in categories Entertainer of the Year, Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, Interactive Artist or Group of the Year, MNP Male Artist of the Year, and Anthem Entertainment Songwriter(s) of the Year; while James Barker Band​ ​will compete to take home wins in the ​Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, Interactive Artist or Group of the Year, Group or Duo of the Year, Single of the Year, and the Anthem Entertainment Songwriter(s) of the Year categories.

Following closely behind with four nominations apiece are ​Paul Brandt ​(​Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, MNP Male Artist of the Year), ​Lindsay Ell (​Female Artist of the Year, Interactive Artist or Group of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year), Tim Hicks ​(Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, MNP Male Artist of the Year), ​The Reklaws ​(​Album of the Year, Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, Group or Duo of the Year,Video of the Year),​ Tenille Townes​ (​Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Anthem Entertainment Songwriter(s) of the Year, Video of the Year)​ ​and​ Dallas Smith ​(​Entertainer of the Year,Album of the Year, Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, MNP Male Artist of the Year)​.

The 2019 CCMA Awards presented by TD will broadcast live from Calgary, AB on Global at 9 p.m. EST/PST. Live-stream details to be announced at a later date.

Tickets to the 2019 CCMA Awards Show are available for purchase at ​ticketmaster.ca​. For each ticket sold, $1 will go directly to the MusiCounts in support of their year-round music initiatives.

To view a complete listing of the 2019 CCMA Awards nominees, visit ccma.org​.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Paul Brandt
Dean Brody
Tim Hicks
Brett Kissel
Dallas Smith

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
The Fall – Dallas Smith
Feels Like That – The Reklaws
The Journey BNA Vol. 2 – Paul Brandt
Love A Girl – Tebey
New Tattoo – Tim Hicks
State Of Mind – Hunter Brothers

APPLE MUSIC FANS’ CHOICE
Gord Bamford
Paul Brandt
Dean Brody
Tim Hicks
Hunter Brothers
James Barker Band
Brett Kissel
The Reklaws
Dallas Smith
Guylaine Tanguay

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lindsay Ell
Jess Moskaluke
Meghan Patrick
Guylaine Tanguay
Tenille Townes

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
High Valley
Hunter Brothers
James Barker Band
The Reklaws
The Washboard Union

INTERACTIVE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lindsay Ell
Aaron Goodvin
James Barker Band
Brett Kissel
Nice Horse

MNP MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Paul Brandt
Dean Brody
Tim Hicks
Brett Kissel
Dallas Smith

RISING STAR
Shawn Austin
Jade Eagleson
Eric Ethridge
JoJo Mason
Sons Of Daughters

ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion – Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion
Both Ways – Donovan Woods
Heart Of Glass – Jessica Mitchell
Juliet – Dan Davidson
What We’re Made Of – The Washboard Union

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“Criminal” – Lindsay Ell
“Dive Bar” – Gord Bamford
“Good Together” – James Barker Band
“Somebody’s Daughter” – Tenille Townes
“Walls Come Down” – Meghan Patrick

ANTHEM ENTERTAINMENT SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
Brett Kissel, Seth Mosley, Brad Rempel
Song: “Cecilia” (Performed By: Brett Kissel)

Gord Bamford, Bart Butler, Brice Long
Song: “Down” (Performed By: Gord Bamford)

James Barker, Todd Clark, Gavin Slate, Travis Wood
Song: “Keep It Simple” (Performed By: James Barker Band)

Corey Crowder, Jess Moskaluke, Jared Mullins
Song: “Save Some Of That Whiskey” (Performed By: Jess Moskaluke)

Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Tenille Townes
Song: “Somebody’s Daughter” (Performed By: Tenille Townes)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Camouflage” – Jess Moskaluke
“Criminal” – Lindsay Ell
“Feels Like That” – The Reklaws
“Somebody’s Daughter” – Tenille Townes
“Walls Come Down” – Meghan Patrick

MUSICIAN AWARDS
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kirby Barber
Lisa Dodd
Curtis Ebner
Doug Elash
Justin Kudding

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Ben Bradley
Flavio Cirillo
Rich DaSilva
Chad Melchert
Rob Wells

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Linsey Beckett
Tyler Beckett
Denis Dufresne
Mike Sanyshyn
Tyler Vollrath

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Paul Chapman
Ryan Davidson
Matt McKay
Darren Savard
Geoff Torrn

KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mike Little
Bart McKay
Brendan Waters

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
David Barber
Denis Dufresne
Shane Guse
Mitch Jay
Connor Riddell

STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Darrek Anderson
Mitch Jay
Doug Johnson

 

Pat Green Covers U2 In New Duet Treatment Of “Trip Through Your Wires”

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Texas country hero Pat Green tips his hat to rock icons U2 in a new cover of their classic, “Trip Through Your Wires,” available for streaming and download today (July 12).

Featuring fellow Texas legend and good friend Joe Ely, the collaboration marks a full-circle moment for Green, who counts the adventurous Ely among his biggest artistic influences.

“Years ago, watching Joe Ely perform, I decided…THIS is what I want to do with my life,” says Green. “I am blessed to have recorded this song with one of my heroes, and luckier still to count he and his wife Sharon as my friends. We’ve picked guitars on porches and stages for years. Having studio fun was just a natural progression for two guys from Texas.”

 

Originally recorded as part of U2’s seminal Joshua Tree album, “Trip Through Your Wires” was written by Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen and Paul Hewson. Green’s new version was produced by Justin Pollard, and photographer Jimmy Bruch captured the candid image which now serves as the single art, designed by Evan Kaufmann.

Green’s previous release was 2018’s Dancehall Dreamin’: A Tribute to Pat Green, which featured Randy Rogers Band, Jack Ingram and more on some of Green’s most-loved songs—plus the stories behind them, as told by the Grammy-nominated artist himself.

Green is currently on the road with select dates scheduled across Louisiana, Texas and Iowa through October, with plans to announce more new music in the coming months.

Keith Urban To Celebrate Colosseum At Caesars Palace Grand Reopening With Two Shows

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Keith Urban is bringing his Graffiti U World Tour to Las Vegas for the first time with back-to-back evenings on Sept. 6 and 7 in celebration of the grand reopening of The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The performances will mark the debut of the newly-enhanced Colosseum, as well as the first performances to utilize the venue’s new general admission capability on the main floor, creating a high-energy entertainment experience for fans.

General tickets for the shows go on sale to the general public starting Friday, July 19 at ticketmaster.com or at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace box office. Members of The ‘Ville, Keith Urban’s official fan club, will have access to a presale beginning Saturday, July 13 at 10 a.m. PT. Citi is the official pre-sale credit card for The Colosseum shows and Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning Monday, July 15 through Citi Entertainment.

In addition, Caesars Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, as well as Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers will have access to a pre-sale beginning Wednesday, July 17 at 10 a.m. PT. All pre-sales end Thursday, July 18.

Mitchell Tenpenny Celebrates Nashville Residency

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Pictured (L-R): RCA Nashville’s Seaforth’s Mitch Thompson and Tom Jordan, River House Artists/Columbia Nashville’s Jameson Rodgers, Riser House/Columbia Nashville’s Mitchell Tenpenny, Arista Nashville’s The Sisterhood Band’s Ruby Stewart and Alyssa Bonagura. Photo: Alan Poizner

Riser House/Columbia Nashville artist Mitchell Tenpenny recently completed three days of concerts at notable listening rooms throughout Nashville, and welcomed a diverse lineup of artists and songwriters.

On July 8, he welcomed his Sony labelmates Jameson Rodgers, Seaforth and the Sisterhood Band to The Listening Room Cafe. On July 9, he hosted NSAI’s “Artists & The Songwriters They Love” series at City Winery, where he was joined by writers from his debut album Telling All My Secrets. Those writers included Devin Dawson, Andy Albert, Dallas Wilson, and Jordan Schmidt. He rounded out the series of concerts on July 10, returning to The Listening Room for a show with guests including Brad Clawson, Filmore and Justin Wilson.

Pictured (L-R): Dallas Wilson, Jordan Schmidt, Riser House/Columbia Nashville’s Mitchell Tenpenny, Devin Dawson and Andy Albert. Photo: Alan Poizner

Pictured (L-R): Brad Clawson, Riser House/Columbia Nashville’s Mitchell Tenpenny, Filmore and Justin Wilson. Photo: Alan Poizner